Page 31 of Princess of Thorns and Ruin

“Anything else?” I skim the rest of the staff. The two new handmaids wear bland servant uniforms, their hearts fluttering like hummingbird wings. They’re either absolutely terrified—or superbly excited—to get the job. I hope it’s the latter.

I stop in front of the thirty-something woman at the end of the line. Red peep-toe heels add a splash of color to her feet, and a sumptuous tailored jacket with black satin lapels wraps her frame. Professional but sexy. Big white glasses are perched atop her round nose, and her crisp, red lipstick matches her shoes. “I want that outfit. You’re the personal shopper?”

The girl doesn’t bat an eye. “Yes, princess. I’m Bella.”

“Nice choice, Mr. Callas.”

He averts his gaze, hands tucked behind his back.

I stare at him, crestfallen. What am I supposed to do if the simplest of praises rubs him the wrong way?

* * *

Right on schedule, a quiet knock echoes from my bedroom door. “Your highness, Lord Pereira is asking to see you,” Alec announces from the other side, his voice perfectly professional.

“Let him in, Mr. Beaumont.” I stretch on the chaise lounge, snap my book shut, and put it aside as Lucas inches inside.

My friend glances around my rooms with his arms tucked at his sides the way one might observe an outlandish, new land. Judging by the frown on his face, the new colors are probably not to his taste. “Hello, princess.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Come on, we’re alone now.” I motion for him to sit on the stool right in front of me. “Come sit. I’m excited to see you.”

He shakes out his hands as he sits, his gaze now solely focused on me. “What happened yesterday? I heard the most gruesome rumors.”

Over the next half an hour, I offer him a play by play of the plane ride and circumstances that led to the attack, the frown on his face gradually deepening.

“Sounds like your bodyguard is incompetent—or crooked,” he whispers low enough for Alec not to hear.

“No, I don’t think he’s to blame, really.” I’m not sure why I’m defending him, other than my intuition tells me that if Alec had been anybody else, I’d be in enemies’ hands right now—or dead.

“You could have been killed.” The wind of his breath caresses my cheek, and his gaze flicks to my lips.

“I’m a vampire now, I can defend myself.” I add a dazzle of bravado to my voice and inch closer, eager to find out exactly how different his kiss will taste now that we’re on equal footing.

Suddenly, Lucas stands and side steps away from me, his palms spread on each side of him. “Well…I have to go, or I’ll be late for my meeting.”

What the hell?

I cock my head to the side, wondering why he’s so shifty all of a sudden—and why he changed his mind about kissing me again. “Meeting?”

“Not a meeting… I—I’ve been invited to dinner.”

“By whom?”

“Your brother.”

My eyes narrow. He keeps his cards close to the vest, making me ask for details instead of supplying them, and that’s unlike him. “You have an audience with the king? Why?”

“I don’t know.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other.

I raise a conspiratorial brow at him, smiling despite the queasiness in my stomach. “You’ll tell me all about it tomorrow at the ceremony?”

“You bet,” he cracks nervously.

With a sigh, I resist the urge to riddle him with questions. Lucas doesn’t know Victor very well. It must be pretty nerve-wracking for him to be summoned by the king. “Let’s walk together. I’ll escort you over to the king’s wing and take a stroll through the gardens on my way back.” I offer him my arm, and he takes it without much resistance.

Maybe if I catch a glimpse of who else was invited to this meeting, I can figure out what it’s about.

Chapter 12

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